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Qld MP pursues council bullying claims

Getting local councils in Queensland to investigate themselves doesn't make sense and the state's corruption watchdog isn't taking action, an MP says.

Cairns MP Rob Pyne, a former local councillor, in October called for an inquiry into the state's local governments before tabling claims of corruption and bullying in the Cairns and Tablelands regional councils.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, who's also the state's local government minister, told parliament on Thursday night that her department had reviewed Mr Pyne's material.

It found the matters mentioned were specific to the local government areas in question.

"It does not provide any cogent evidence of systemic problems with the local government system that would justify an inquiry into local government, as called for by the Member for Cairns," Ms Trad said.

She said people with complaints about councils should direct them to the councils in question.

Complaints of corruption or official misconduct should be directed to the Crime and Corruption Commission, she said.

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Ms Trad said Mr Pyne, who had since tabled more documents making allegations against local governments, should go through the proper channels.

But Mr Pyne on Friday insisted it was pointless going to the state's corruption watchdog, because 95 per cent of low-level corruption complaints were referred back to councils to investigate themselves.

"Call me crazy, but getting the alleged perpetrator to investigate seems a bit odd - a bit like reporting the local used car salesman to the used car lot," Mr Pyne said.

"I might be seen to be a loose cannon on this issue ... but my views are shared by many Queenslanders."

Mr Pyne said his reasons for tabling allegations against councils wasn't necessarily to target "dodgy councillors".

"It was for ordinary Queenslanders forced to go and worked in a toxic bullying environment where they're subject to ongoing harassment," Mr Pyne said.

"Leaving many Queensland local government workers to lose their jobs and, tragically, to lose their lives."

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